Algarve Wednesday Walkers 2009-2010: AWW 24.02.2010: Boulevards of Barão de São João

We have all been suffering from ombrophobia recently, and Mike who is recovering from a shoulder operation has a severe case of basophobia; Janet, who has been away again, is renowned for her bathmophobia; and David is particularly susceptible to macrophobia. Ian S. however is definitely not subject to potophobia, while I must confess to twinges of monophobia, which was why I was very relieved when 22 walkers signed up for my ‘easy’ walk in the Mata Nacional of Barão de São João.

For those without a classical education, you can save yourself much Googling by looking here

No doubt, once you start reading this fascinating list your hypochondria will set in, and you will discover any number of symptons that apply to your good selves.

Perhaps the fact that Myriam had recently had a significant birthday, (see gerontophobia) and there had been a flurry of correspondence between Ian S., Tina and others, to which I was not a party, about a party, and also that the walk was advertised as ‘easy’, moreover we were all in serious need of a perambulation, meant that the potential cast was well above normal numbers.

19 of the 20 starters (Myriam took the pic – no gorillapod)

I did say 22 potential starters. Unfortunately by 0940 when we set off, we only had 20. I had received a plaintive phone call from John O’ who had sadly misinterpreted the directions in the email, and found himself in Sagres, from where he was unlikely to be able to find the actual start in time, so called it a day; and John H. texted in that he had a puncture, and would only arrive for the Aprés Walk activity. This had nothing to do with the fact that he was still recovering from Terry’s Mega Walk last Wednesday! (ambulophobia).

The Track

Leader: Paul

Boulevardiers: Myriam, Bob, Terry M., Elaine, Lindsey, Ingrid, Alex, Tina, Terry A, Ian W., Janet , David, Frank, Rod, Andrew F., Mike, Tony, Karen, Stan.

Chiens: Amos, Alfie, Rosie, Rusty, Maddy, Bella, Shelly, Nandi.

We welcomed the return to active service of Mike, who has hopefully recovered from his shoulder problems, but who has indicated that he will be selective in the walks he attends; Janet from holiday; Terry M. from the snows of UK, and Karen and Tony, who were WW’s in a former incarnation, until they returned to the luxuries of urban life in London. Stan and Elaine also made a rare guest appearance!

Stats: Walk rating (D.o.D.) 2*

Total Distance: 16.5 km.
Moving Time: 3 hrs 15 min.
Total Time: 3 hrs 50 min.
Moving Avg.: 5.1 km/hr.
Overall Avg.: 4.3 km/hr.
Total Ascent: 308 m.
Max Elevation: 190 m.

Average Age of Walkers*: 63 yrs. 6 months and 6 days.

*(This stat is based on the best available data and an estimated d.o.b. for Janet, who may or may not need to leak the information fast to qualify for her 70th Birthday inauguration to the Hall of AWW Fame!)

Sunny periods

Marshalling the unwieldy number of walkers, and a flurry of text messages meant that we were a little late in setting off down the broad boulevards of the Forest, but we had sun at times, and amazingly there was not one drop of rain for the entire walk.

Obstacle course

Our exceedingly rapid progress was interrupted by a couple of fallen fir trees, but otherwise, on even wide paths, with great views across the forest, the walk was fairly uneventful.

Maddy complaining about her lack of freedom to beg sandwiches!

Lunch was early, as we were in danger of completing the walk in about 3 hours.

Soon after Myriam captured the photo of the most senior and junior walkers, no doubt discussing Geocaching!

For a change, Ingrid managed to get some pix of the non-male chauvinist variety of Pig. The rest of the photos in this series were censored!!

Unfortunately the last part of the walk involved a bit of tarmac, but also the bonus of the only real hill which was the cultural highlight – Statue Hill. We were delighted to see that the BSJ Resident Sculptor had not been idle since we last walked this way.

Ian S. immortalised on crutches!

The Boys in the Band

Tony ‘tapping up’ a young lady

No signs of ‘megalophobia ‘ nor ‘zoophobia’ from Janet

Of course the keen students of art at the rear got left behind and missed a turn at the top of the hill resulting in a phone call to the leader from Myriam. What would we do without mobiles?

We were welcomed by Ian S and John H. as we strolled back towards the car park. They had been charged with checking out the café bars for our party, but alas BSJ is lacking in capacity for a group of 22 thirsty walkers. An executive decision was made to drive to Bensafrim, where there would be adequate parking and more chairs at the market café.

Myriam’s eye view of the group.(from atop a plastic chair)

Tina eventually called us to order and announced that Myriam was now qualified for a bus-pass and sundry other discounts having achieved a venerable age. Janet had baked a lovely cake, of which somehow I don’t have a decent photo, and Tina presented Myriam with a large bottle of anti-aging cream (which doesn’t appear to be working – yet!). Rod then made his expected laudatory platitudes, and Myriam got quite excited and had to be restrained by Tina!

“I’ll hold her – you hit her!”

Our thanks to all those that organised the surprise, and also the wonderful news that the seeds I planted about the RTC Franchise seem to be taking root – David has offered to help out with the walk admin and planning, leaving Myriam only to supervise breakfasts, accommodation and dinner. Now if there is a potential catering supremo out there………….

I am also looking for some alleviation of my athazagoraphobia, so feel free to comment!

“Age is a high price to pay for maturity.” Stoppard, Tom

“Maturity is the time of life when, if you had the time, you'd have the time of your life.” Unknown, Source

Post Scriptum

Just after I had finished compiling the foregoing, my Inbox pinged and David kindly submitted about 20 Mb of additional photos –duly captioned. I will add some of them without further comment.